On the introduction of the new measure in England today, health chiefs have said that, while infection rates remain high across the country, the vast majority of people with positive lateral flow results can be confident they have COVID-19.
Before the introduction of the measure today, people without symptoms who tested LFT positive were asked to order a PCR test, and were then told to only begin their isolation period when they get the PCR result, which effectively required them to isolate for longer than seven days.
Awaiting PCR results was said to be a cause of delay to the official start of isolation for hundreds of thousands of people.
Growing delays in getting PCR test results were also widely reported across the UK.
As lateral flow tests should only be taken by people who do not have COVID symptoms, the UKHSA confirmed that people experiencing the three official COVID symptoms – which are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – will still be expected to get a PCR, however.
Follow-up PCR tests are no longer required for asymptomatic people who test positive on lateral flows / Credit: Flickr (Tom Wolf)
People who test positive on lateral flow tests will still need to isolate for at least seven days and register their positive results, and those with symptoms should self-isolate even if they have had a recent negative lateral flow test, as rules for symptomatic people have not changed.
Speaking on the introduction of this temporary measure today, Dr Jenny Harries – Chief Executive of the UKHSA – said: “This is a tried and tested approach.
“With COVID cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate COVID-19 without the need for PCR confirmation. If you test positive on an LFD, you should self-isolate immediately and register your result to allow contact tracing to take place [and] it also remains really important that anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test via gov.uk, or by phoning 119.”
“I’m really grateful to the public and all of our critical workers who continue to test regularly and self-isolate when necessary, along with other practical and important behaviours to limit transmission of the virus,” Dr Harries continued.
“This is the most effective way of stopping the spread of infection and keeping our friends, families and communities safe.”
When you take a rapid lateral flow COVID-19 test, always remember to report the result.
Whether it is positive, negative or void, reporting results is a great way to help the NHS reduce the spread of the virus.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 10, 2022
The UKHSA said that the this new change is just a “temporary measure” to while COVID rates remain high and will free up capacity in laboratories for PCR tests for those who do have symptoms, and would allow those who are asymptomatic – about 40% of cases – to return to work more quickly.
Under current guidelines, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be able to leave self-isolation seven days after the date of their initial positive test, providing they receive two negative lateral flow test results, taken 24 hours apart, on days six and seven.
Three 19-year-olds arrested after teen is killed in ‘targeted attack’ in Bury town centre
Emily Sergeant
Three men have been arrested after a teenager was stabbed to death in a ‘targeted attack’ in Bury town centre.
The arrests come after a 19-year-old male was attacked just before 9pm on Friday (1 August) in a car park on Market Street in Bury town centre – sustaining several stab wounds in the process and sadly later dying from his injuries.
All three of the suspects are male and aged 19, the same as the victim, and it is being treated as an isolated attack with ‘no wider threat’ to the public.
The three have each been arrested on suspicion of murder, with two of the arrests taking place in Bury and Bolton over the weekend, and the other in the early hours of the morning at Manchester Airport – with all remaining in police custody for questioning.
Despite the arrests, the investigation is still very much ongoing, and police have now appealed to the public for information.
Appealing to the public, Detective Chief Inspector John Charlton said: “This was a violent and tragic incident that was witnessed by a lot of people. This incident will have shocked the community and distressed anyone who witnessed it, but we believe this was a targeted attack with no wider threat.
“Our officers will be in the area today and over the next few days as we try to establish what happened in the lead-up to this awful incident.
“We also have specialist officers supporting the family at this difficult time.”
Anyone who has any information or was in the area at the time is asked to contact police, quoting log 3354 of 01/08/25.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Viral Manchester beauty brand P. Louise to open first ever flagship store in Trafford Palazzo
Thomas Melia
Beauty brand and viral cosmetics giant P. Louise has announced her first ever flagship store, and it’s opening at Trafford Palazzo.
Droylsden-born beauty guru, turned makeup mogul, P. Louise, is opening her first ever flagship store in Manchester in one of the region’s biggest shopping centres.
Titled P. Louise City, the pastel pink viral cosmetics company is launching its very-first physical site in Trafford Palazzo.
The beauty brand has become a social media sensation, as well as a Greater Manchester hotspot thanks to its P. Louise Empire headquarters located in Stockport.
This pink-furnished warehouse site offers customers an immersive experience with makeover sessions, shopping DIY activities, a cafe, and lots of photo opportunities.
The upcoming P. Louise City is set to build off this success with a 19,000 sq ft store that houses a variety of distinctive zones with iconic names.
You’ll be able to quench your thirst at the ‘Bad B*tch Juice Bar’, find all the latest pink-hued goodies at ‘Juicy News’, and pick up all your essentials at the ‘P. Louise Supermarket’.
P. Louise may not be a medical company, but her ‘P. Louise Pharmacy’ will cure all your retail therapy needs, and although many of her fans already knew her products were liquid gold, the ‘P. Louise Vault’ definitely confirms this.
As well as lots of shopping areas throughout this massive Trafford Palazzo site, there will be lots of hands-on activities – including makeup education zones, and even a dancefloor to bust a move or two.
P. Louise is set to open its first ever flagship store titled P. Louise City in Trafford Palazzo / Credit: Supplied
In an Instagram post on her personal social media account she calls this physical store ‘a dream come true’, adding: “[It’s] truly a pinch me moment – here’s to my next chapter”.
Emily Sergeant -
11th January 2022 
